Bozeman man sentenced for threatening Montana governor, U.S. Rep. Jordan

Verbanec pleaded guilty to the charge in February. 

According to charging documents, the U.S. Capitol Police contacted the FBI in January 2025 to report that someone in Bozeman was sending violent threats to Jordan, the Ohio representative, via the social media platform X. The user stated, "I'm not sitting and I'm not waiting for s— I'm going to kill every m—f— here," among other threats. 

The FBI traced the account to Verbanec and his phone number and called him to ask about the threats. Verbanec claimed that President Donald Trump had communicated to him to appoint him an FBI agent via coded messages in public speeches, and that the government had been blackmailing him for years.

He said he'd previously been contacted by the FBI for making similar social media threats to former Montana U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and former President Joe Biden.

He told the agent that Trump had appointed him based on his invention that allowed him to decipher "the code in which the universe is written," and that all major news events or natural disasters were a result of the government trying to access that invention, charging documents state. 

On Oct. 16, 2025, Montana Highway Patrol's Executive Protection Detail reported that Verbanec had arrived at the state Capitol building in Helena demanding to speak with Gianforte. He alleged Gianforte was responsible for the murder of Charlie Kirk and was trying to kill Verbanec and his family. Officers escorted Verbanec out of the building and informed Gianforte's security detail about the incident. Gianforte was not there at the time.

Later that day, Verbanec made threatening Facebook posts and went to Bozeman, where Gianforte lives. 

Verbanec also made threats online against other politicians and some members of the news media, such as Tomi Lahren, a Fox News commentator. He also went to Lahren's parents' house in South Dakota and took a photo of himself there.

Verbanec was only charged for his threats against Jordan and Gianforte.

At sentencing, Verbanec's defense attorney, Michael Donahoe, said that his client's behavior probably stemmed from marijuana-induced paranoia.

"I think Mr. Verbanec was continually, habitually using marijuana, and it just had him in a frame of mind where he wasn't thinking clearly," Donahoe said. 

Verbanec tearfully addressed the court to apologize.

"I was blaming others for my problems," he said. "I miss my children more than words can describe."

Verbanec said he is not a violent person, and swore to never exhibit such behavior again.

Christensen expressed concern about Verbanec's belief that people were communicating with him in code. Verbanec said that in hindsight, he understands those beliefs were misinformed, and upon rewatch of Trump's speeches found no hidden messages. 

Christensen also expressed concern about Verbanec going to Lahren's parents' house.

"At the time, I thought she was threatening my family members, my friends," Verbanec said.

He said he had no intention of hurting anyone, but wanted to use a "bear tactic" to seem bigger than he was to scare them off. 

At sentencing, pursuant to the plea agreement, the court dismissed an additional charge of making interstate threats.

The sentence imposed is less than federal guidelines suggest for Verbanec's crime. Christensen cited Verbanec's lack of criminal history as a reason for this lenience.

"I believe you when you tell me that you're not going to engage in this conduct again," Christensen told Verbanec. 

Verbanec has already served about seven months while awaiting sentencing.

"During my 221 days of imprisonment, I have learned how valuable freedom truly is," Verbanec said. 

For federal sentencing, credit for time served is calculated by the Bureau of Prisons rather than the judge, so Christensen made no determination about credit for time served. 

Verbanec's prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release.